Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)
ALL
I recently found a link on the Windows Web Site to download the beta
version of Service Pack 2 for XP. It is a very large download. SP2
installed itself without any fuss. However, it appears that in the never
ending drive to control all aspects of software programming, Microsoft is
now attempting to control the anti-virus and firewall sector too.
I wish that the US courts had the guts to do what the courts in Europe
have done. Make Microsoft focus on it's core product, and not include it's
browser, instant messaging, movie maker and media player programs as
integral parts of it's already bloated operating system. Now, instead of
expending the effort to make the basic operating system safe, they have
added a "Security Center" to Windows XP. This contains a Microsoft firewall
and anti-virus program. You are able to disable them, however, you get the
standard type of arrogant Microsoft warning that the world will come to an
end if you do not use their product. I had to struggle for a while to get
my Norton products and cable internet connection to work after installing
the SP2 pack. The internet connection was never stable.
The presence of these new wonder programs causes some conflicts with
those of us who have used either Norton or MacAfee products for years. One
of the "Critical Updates" allows Windows XP to function if the user chooses
to use MacAfee software rather the built in Microsoft program ! So now
Microsoft knows more about internet protection programming than those
software companies who have specialized in this area for years and years. I
wish that they knew more about writing safe operating system software.
Other than some cosmetic changes, I could not find too many visible
changes in SP2. The driver update interface was changed, and it does allow
more functional options than previous Windows XP versions.
A major problem, ( I know that this is just a beta ), with SP2 seems to
be with third party driver recognition. After installation of XP SP2, I
began to experience multiple "Blue Screens of Death", telling me to check my
drivers. Also Windows would tell me that vital Windows files had been
changed to unknown versions, and the sun was going to become a nova if did
not fix them.
The one nice thing is that you can uninstall this new Microsoft bunch of
bites. After trying for about a week to stabilize my system, I went ahead
and uninstalled SP2. Of course Microsoft has to have the final word. A
message box appears after you select to uninstall SP2 that lists just about
every program you have installed on your computer. This warning states that
if you uninstall SP2, there is a very real danger that these programs will
never work again! Guess what? They all still do, and the "Blue Screens of
Death", multiple driver warnings and internet instability have all gone
away! System stability has returned to the level it was at before my great
experiment.
It simply amazes me that instead of making sure the basic software as
foolproof and safe as humanly possible, Microsoft continues to add bell and
whistle programs to the basic operating system. Bill, if you are listening,
stop putting unwanted, unneeded programs in Windows, and concentrate on
making your system stable and secure. Forget the add on programs which
other companies specialize in, thus creating better programs in the first
place, and work on your operating system.
For those of you brave souls who do try SP2 Beta, good luck. I ghosted
my main drive to a backup disk prior to installing SP2. I would still do
this in case you chose to uninstall SP2 and cannot do so for some reason. I
am going to think long and hard before adding the finalized version of SP2
to my current Windows program.
Dave
ALL
I recently found a link on the Windows Web Site to download the beta
version of Service Pack 2 for XP. It is a very large download. SP2
installed itself without any fuss. However, it appears that in the never
ending drive to control all aspects of software programming, Microsoft is
now attempting to control the anti-virus and firewall sector too.
I wish that the US courts had the guts to do what the courts in Europe
have done. Make Microsoft focus on it's core product, and not include it's
browser, instant messaging, movie maker and media player programs as
integral parts of it's already bloated operating system. Now, instead of
expending the effort to make the basic operating system safe, they have
added a "Security Center" to Windows XP. This contains a Microsoft firewall
and anti-virus program. You are able to disable them, however, you get the
standard type of arrogant Microsoft warning that the world will come to an
end if you do not use their product. I had to struggle for a while to get
my Norton products and cable internet connection to work after installing
the SP2 pack. The internet connection was never stable.
The presence of these new wonder programs causes some conflicts with
those of us who have used either Norton or MacAfee products for years. One
of the "Critical Updates" allows Windows XP to function if the user chooses
to use MacAfee software rather the built in Microsoft program ! So now
Microsoft knows more about internet protection programming than those
software companies who have specialized in this area for years and years. I
wish that they knew more about writing safe operating system software.
Other than some cosmetic changes, I could not find too many visible
changes in SP2. The driver update interface was changed, and it does allow
more functional options than previous Windows XP versions.
A major problem, ( I know that this is just a beta ), with SP2 seems to
be with third party driver recognition. After installation of XP SP2, I
began to experience multiple "Blue Screens of Death", telling me to check my
drivers. Also Windows would tell me that vital Windows files had been
changed to unknown versions, and the sun was going to become a nova if did
not fix them.
The one nice thing is that you can uninstall this new Microsoft bunch of
bites. After trying for about a week to stabilize my system, I went ahead
and uninstalled SP2. Of course Microsoft has to have the final word. A
message box appears after you select to uninstall SP2 that lists just about
every program you have installed on your computer. This warning states that
if you uninstall SP2, there is a very real danger that these programs will
never work again! Guess what? They all still do, and the "Blue Screens of
Death", multiple driver warnings and internet instability have all gone
away! System stability has returned to the level it was at before my great
experiment.
It simply amazes me that instead of making sure the basic software as
foolproof and safe as humanly possible, Microsoft continues to add bell and
whistle programs to the basic operating system. Bill, if you are listening,
stop putting unwanted, unneeded programs in Windows, and concentrate on
making your system stable and secure. Forget the add on programs which
other companies specialize in, thus creating better programs in the first
place, and work on your operating system.
For those of you brave souls who do try SP2 Beta, good luck. I ghosted
my main drive to a backup disk prior to installing SP2. I would still do
this in case you chose to uninstall SP2 and cannot do so for some reason. I
am going to think long and hard before adding the finalized version of SP2
to my current Windows program.
Dave
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